A magnificent U-turn: The American university humiliated the Israeli lecturer - now it apologizes

UC Berkeley admitted to discrimination against Dr. Yael Nativ, an Israeli researcher, after she was denied teaching due to her Israeli identity following October 7. The university apologized, paid $60,000, and invited her to return to teach, but the offer was delayed by nine months due to an "internal communication glitch."

The University of California, Berkeley admitted to discrimination against Dr. Yael Nativ, an Israeli dance and sociology researcher, after it was determined she was discriminated against due to her Israeli origin and identity. Nativ taught in spring 2022 as a visiting professor in the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies, and following the October 7, 2023 attack, department chair Sansan Kwan informed her in November 2023 that she could not host her, citing that "things are very heated" and that her return would put the department in a "terrible situation." Nativ turned to the university's Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination, which opened an investigation and found she was a victim of discrimination in violation of university policy. In August 2025, she filed a lawsuit through the Brandeis Center for Human Rights. In December 2025, the parties reached a settlement: Berkeley publicly acknowledged the policy violation, apologized, paid $60,000, and invited her to teach again. Chancellor Rich Lyons apologized in a video call in February. However, the promised offer was not sent for over nine months. The university stated the delay was due to an "internal communication glitch" and that the offer would be sent no later than the week starting September 28. University spokesperson Dan Mogulof expressed deep regret over the delay. Nativ said the struggle was meant to make a point and achieve justice, and that she would consider the offer if invited. The case joins a series of legal conflicts surrounding the treatment of Israelis and Jews by US academic institutions since October 7.